The Time Traveler's Wife - Spoilers

[Lynn, New School Classics]

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2003) is the New School Group Read for May 2025.

This is the Spoiler Thread. Plot discussion and personal reviews of the book are encouraged in this thread.

This book is a favorite of mine. I hope you all enjoy it.

[April]

Huh, no replies yet?
I have been reading this slowly in between my couple of more focused reads. I am familiar with the story via the series from a few years back. It is such a touching and beautiful story and the characters are adorable.

I dont quite remember the Ouija board scene being in the show though. Otherwise, i have been picturing the show through my readalong. Apparently there should have been a season two to finish the whole book, so i am curious about that, but i think the series still did a really good job of keeping the accuracy of the book, at least so far! Love it!

[J_BlueFlower]

Just started (7%). Well written and a strange and funny concept. Now, if it was me,..... I would slip my younger self and hint or three about buying some Apple, then bitcoin and finally Nvidia stocks.

[J_BlueFlower]

This is really good. Enjoying every page. At 20% now. Not much to comment. Looking like a at least 4 star read for me.

[April]

I cant track my progress because i have too many books on my current reads!! *cries
But i definitely passed the Ouija board part, because i dont recall it being in the show i watched, but it is also possible i missed it or maybe it was just a bit of dialogue. *shrug

But yes, this is absolutely adorable! I love both Henry and Claire! ❤

[J_BlueFlower]

April wrote: "I cant track my progress because i have too many books on my current reads!! *cries..."

Yes, it is annoying.

You know that you can go to www.goodreads.com and expand the list from 3 book to 10? I understand, if it doesn't help. Somehow I am "currently"-reading 18 books.

[Cynda]

Going to go slow. How charming are Clare and Henry from the very first! Love in library, at a restaurant, in a meadow. Ahhhh

[J_BlueFlower]

Apparently there is a sequel on the way “The Other Husband“ “set to be released in 2023“ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audrey_... If it was released in 2023 I don’t see much trace of it yet...

[J_BlueFlower]

Alright, have my five stars.

I love this book and will be pressing it into other hands. I love when authors make a world and fully use the consequences of that world. 100% done here. What I specially loved was

(view spoiler)[1) The marriage: Clare was married to an older Henry arriving just in time.

2) Alba’s father. We are left with enough information to start wonder who that may be, and it is resolved in an acceptable way. I accept that a younger Henry who had just witness a bloody miscarriage would not care too much what Clare he was visiting.

3) The double Alba in the garden dialogue

4) The letter to Clare: She knows that there is a visit in her future. She knows she cannot die as long as she does not move. She also knows that she will not see him again as long as she does not move. It has been 45+ years. We cannot know what happened in between. She may have married and lived another half live with another man. I don’t see it as Clare spending her life waiting for Henry, only that she herself seems to have come to an end and knowing that this thing will happen, so it must happen soon. ….. but of course the Odyssey quote suggests she did indeed spend her life waiting.

5) The main character dies in the beginning of the book. I did not realise it, since he is clearly alive (the slightly younger Henry, who is also present). Good plotting there.

6) All the information juggling: It is not just Henry withholding information from Clare, it is also the other way around. Clare not telling Henry about her past that is in his future. Especially the return from May 24, 1989: when something moves into their shared past. Clare has been waiting for this to happen, even-though it is in her past.

Other people are complaining about the book “pretending” not to be science fiction. Why is that a problem? I think it is great to take a concept from one world and make it world so great outside that world. Even turning it upside down: Time travelling is an illness he wants to be cured for, and tries to keep secret because it is embarrassing. And makes the reader feel that it is natural that way. I do not care if you label it science fiction or not. I think the time travelling mice were a funny hint to science fiction.
(hide spoiler)]

It is fun to read all the 1- and 2-star reviews. One (Danielle) even complains “The plot was convoluted.” It was awesome! It was all the convoluted coils that made it great.

[J_BlueFlower]

Link to The Other Husband.

[Cynda]

51% .
I'm enjoying the good combination of science fiction and fantasy, particularly fantasy. I like all the references to Dorothy, Dreams, Gardens, Meadows, Beds, Travel, Grandmother.

[Lynn, New School Classics]

I agree with everything you are saying. Cynda you're right that it has so many references and symbols. I also was drawn in by the interaction between Clair and Henry. I need to like the characters in a book. J_Blueflower you're right that the time jumps in the plot make it that much more poignant, suspenseful, and tragic.

[Cynda]

Some of the imagery about the babies reminds me of the imagery that Frida Kahlo used when describing her fertility experience. There is some of the same vividness

[April]

Sigh! I forgot this was an active readalong. I have like half a dozen books (actually maybe more) i am trying to finish before the end of the month. I have been putting this aside. Maybe ill read a bit tonight... or tomorrow.

I dont remember babies (from the show). I havent read that part yet, i think.

J blueflower -Ohhh! Yeah i already show 10 current reads lol

Also, the link for the sequel is like not valid it says. 🤷‍♀️ Maybe it got canceled.

[J_BlueFlower]

April wrote: "Also, the link for the sequel is like not valid it says. 🤷‍♀️ Maybe it got canceled..."

No, the book is blocked for reviews as it is unpublished. The text explaining is just stupid. As far as I have read it has not been canceled

[April]

Ah ok. 🤷‍♀️

Picked up Wife again tonight. Boy is it addicting! Just finished the part when Henry gets his stomach pumped. I dont recall this scene in the show.
Also, the scene prior, about December 24th, seemed more detailed. Actually, i think that is only because it is in words not visuals. Our eyes dont necessarily pick up everything in a show as when we have to read every word. Maybe there was something added, but i cant think of it now.

So, i am a little bummed by the reactions ive read in another group on this. Saying that Henry was grooming Clare. First of all, this is science fiction and an extremely unique situation, and second, i mean if you could just picture theo james ... lol sorry, i am a sucker for him, but he really was very like appropriate with Clare as she was growing up. Sure, he admitted she was his future wife, but he always kept that boundary. I wonder if some of that got lost in the reading. Him kissing her, for instance, is like a fatherly kiss when shes a child, but it isnt really explicitly said so in the book. But i dont know. It just saddened me that it was so critiqued. Sure, i am nervous about the fact that this young girl cant tell her parents about henry... i think even that might have been changed in the series though, because now that i mention it, i recall henry adding "you can tell your parents but no one else". Its just, the whole romance is lost on some people, and thats a shame! This is not something tawdry, but pure!

[J_BlueFlower]

> Henry was grooming Clare.

I have seen that critique too. I don’t think so. To some degree it seems that it is Clare who is in charge: She picks his clothes and she serves odd food for him. …. That he is almost forced to eat by being extremely hungry. Except that he is the adult, she is the one in charge. He is her toy imaginary friend – who just happens to be real.

> this young girl cant tell her parents about henry

Yes, that is a red flashing light. The contradicting message from that and what is going on add some depth. Most of Clare time as less than 18 years is in the late 1970-is and 1980. I don’t think “grooming” was a thing back then. I grew up about the same time. We were warned about not talking to strange men, definitely not following them anywhere, especially not if they offered us candy. End of story. Actually it was almost the other way around: If a young girl (say 18-22 years) married a much older man the “blame” (if any) went to her that she did it for economical reasons.

If Henry really were grooming Clare, why the two year wait? And why is he not telling her how to find him?

[Cynda]

My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Cynda]

The time travel traveling places this novel firmly in realm of science fiction. The love story is a fantasy, something to delight in.

[April]

Well i am glad that there are others like me who understand the appeal! 😅💕

I think it must be this new generation of cancel culture having everyone so judgmental of people. It definitely wasnt like this in the 80s and 90s or even early 2000s when this book was written. Im not saying people should be altogether trusting of everyone, but this is a book of fiction, of fantasy, where nothing bad can really happen to the main characters, so enjoy it! 😅 I mean, if you dont, you dont. I can understand if things trigger you, but it was not grooming. 😅🤦‍♀️

[Lynn, New School Classics]

I have also heard people discuss grooming. Book vs. movie might be an issue there. In a book we get to read the internal thoughts and motivations, but on a screen the viewer pushes his or her own thoughts, and emotions into the scene.

Perhaps the book is more innocent that the thoughts of the screen viewers who write those reviews.

[April]

No, but it was the fellow book readers saying these things!

Anyway, i have continued reading. I cant believe i still have like 200pages left! Chronologically, i think i have reached the point where the series ended, so these next 200 pages, while some info was revealed in the show, will be new to me. I cant imagine what else they can get up to in 200 pages though! It is kind of annoying it is dragging, but i am sure it will pick up. I have read some reviews that mention tears. I hope it doesnt get too bad! I dont know that i cried all that much watching the show.

Yeah, i dont know why, but ever since (view spoiler)[the wedding (hide spoiler)], it has slowed down in interest for me. Hope it picks up and isnt too sad! (Maybe i am just spoiled as i read nearly half of The Housemaid earlier tonight, in one night and could have kept reading, its so addicting, but i need to like start finishing some of these books already! 😂 Ive started over a dozen! )

[April]

Ok, well, um, so i can kinda see where they might be coming from after reading today

Spoiler alert (up to page 374)



the part right after the vysectomy attempt 1 and he travels to like 86, when Clare is 15 and kisses her. But like cuz hes mad/frustrated with present Clare and well, of course, the kiss was a mistake but how eventful for a teenager! I mean, again, im still not sure if its grooming, but i can maybe see why folks got a little uncomfortable. Also, the story has kinda turned depressing! But, Clare just got pregnant for the 6th time, and there is hope so...

[Luffy Sempai]

I don't see grooming in the book, but Clare as a character lacks agency.

If only she chose her husband in a less ushered in, and confined way. Her love life was decided in spite of herself, and that, I think could and should have been avoided.

[April]

Um ok, i read something yesterday... oh yes. Alba!! While getting to that point was rough, omg, how sweet!

Today i am reading about Clares 18th birthday and then Gomez thing. The series really has a different order of things, for some things.

Film and series digression below 😅
Speaking of order, i started watching the film with Rachel McAdams, and that has the sequencing really different! But for a 100 minute film, it makes sense that things would have to be mentioned quicker. While i appreciate this film, i think having it as PG13, in a way, tunes more into the main message of the book's pure love theme. However, the book, like the series (although the series is more geared toward a "female" audience), definitely has some more adult content. Ok, so the series isnt like X or anything, but there is definitely more emphasis on the naked aspect of the time travel, which, I believe, distracts from the main story theme, but i can understand why some audience folks enjoy it. I just think it was a little overdone for this sort of story.

[April]

Luffy Sempai wrote: "I don't see grooming in the book, but Clare as a character lacks agency.

If only she chose her husband in a less ushered in, and confined way. Her love life was decided in spite of herself, and th..."

Interesting! And with what i saw of the film so far, Clare actually states in it that things are inevitable. She couldnt change it if she wanted to. And that kinda shows how i might be inclined to disagree with you. She accepts that things are sort of fated. Maybe they dont exactly show her trying to change things, which i think is what you might have wanted, but it seems implied, to me, that she cant really change things anyway. 🤷‍♀️ So, it isnt exactly a lack of agency...if i understand correctly. I will say, however, that in the series version, it does seem a bit more like a character flaw, that she deoesnt exactly even WANT to try anything differently. But she is also just very young when all of this stuff intially happens, and young folks dont have the experiences to kinda have more agency, right? (To be honest, i had to look up the definition. Though i am English native, i havent had expereince with this word, agency)

[Cynda]

The inevitable aspect is part of female fantasy at least of the times, as in It was fate that brought us together."

[Cynda]

It is a literary troupe better recognized in movies where the couple's eyes lock and they just know that they are fated or intended to be together.

[April]

Good point Cynda!

So i wanted to clarify my statement/critiscm on the tv series. It isnt just the "female" audience, it is more geared to a select female audienceand. Which is the problem for me. For it is just for females ("females"/those interested in men) to simply objectify the actor. As a fan of the actor, and moreover, the story, i think it cheapens the story. Or, since they went that route, why not show more of the couples' "adventures", because females would probably enjoy that more, the romance scenes where the actor enjoys giving as much as being eye candy. Ya know?

So anyway, thats my beef. As i said, im a fan of the actor (and i also actually like the series. Saw it before anything else) and agree he is attractive, but it either cheapens the story or doesnt give the full picture of the novel with its obvious objectification. And I am loving this novel!! Well, except for those difficult and sad chapters (and they were kind of lazy too, like what happened from month to month or year to year in between. Time jumps are fine, but fill us in a bit more.

*obvious 1 sided objectification The novel has 2 perspectives, so give Henry/the other side some chance to "objectify" Clare. Lol I just mean, its romantic to hear the other side praising his girl, ya know?

[April]

Bah ha ha ha!

Apologies for all of the posts, i just dont know when i will be in another discussion about this book and franchise and i want to be clear that i love it, but also have critiques 🤣🤷‍♀️

[Cynda]

We are becoming more and inclusive of people and sensitive of issues, so good points, April. It may be that this book may not stand the test of time. Or will become a niche literary piece 😉🤷

[April]

I still think the skill of writing should give Niffenegger and this book Classics status, plus all of the topics addressed for discussion. It definitely stamps a point in time, but ... yeah, like you said "niche literary piece"

I finished the movie, and while it leaves out a lot of the book, i think it was good for what it was and told the story. But with 30 pages left for me to read (and maybe 50 last night after the movie) i am glad there are still some new scenes to discover, but can also speed up the reading too with the "spoilers"

Funny how by the end of the movie i was like, please be over!!! Because it was a tearjerker by the end. Good but emo! I have to read that part still, but hopefully it wont hurt as much. I NEED to finish this book! 😅 i just NEED to check off another read. 😂 (so competitive with myself! Lol and well frankly, the clock) edit: actually, so frustrated with goodreads for only "allowing" 10 current reads, when i have like 20 😭😅🤷‍♀️

[Luffy Sempai]

April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "I don't see grooming in the book, but Clare as a character lacks agency.

If only she chose her husband in a less ushered in, and confined way. Her love life was decided in spi..."

Hi April. Thanks for your wonderful post. I guess you are speaking from the aspect of characterisation. I am talking about the way things are plotted. It would be great if Clare had choice in her matter as opposed to passiveness. She could still end up with Henry, but there could be a reason why.

Henry is neither very kind, funny, brave, or wise. The travels don't seem to change him. He too ends up with Clare despite not having a choice in the matter either. Henry and Clare are a slightly boring couple with time travel thrown in.

[April]

Luffy Sempai wrote: "April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "I don't see grooming in the book, but Clare as a character lacks agency.

If only she chose her husband in a less ushered in, and confined way. Her love life was ..."

Ah, yes. I meant characterization. But i see your point. I am not exactly sure I can imagine how that might be done though. Perhaps something more like with Alba and her able to somewhat control when (and where?) she travels?

Again though, i must disagree on the Henry characteristics. I believe he is all of those things, more of them after he meets Clare, but even as a child he had to be brave facing this disorder. And his travels did change him. He had to learn how to survive. At first, it did turn him bitter and careless, but after meeting Clare, he became kind and wise, and he was already a little funny with his library collegues (thinking the cage scene and him running around naked there 😅🤷‍♀️ Didnt he do silly pranks too or something? Something mutually fun for them?), although Clare probably had the most influence on that too. I would suggest watching the series, because that is very funny and Henry is very loveable! 👍


Edit: oh and i finished it by the way! Haha! Yeah, 5 stars for me, or maybe i took a bit off for the slower middle, but definitely a classic and likely to be read again.

[Luffy Sempai]

April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "I don't see grooming in the book, but Clare as a character lacks agency.

If only she chose her husband in a less ushered in, and confined wa..."

Hi April, you make some very good points, on which I have to concede. But Henry remains like a character who reacts mainly. When he is whisked away he does the same things that most of us would do in his place. So despite the fact that I gave the book 4 stars, I was disappointed in Henry. In fact if I reread it again I would probably give the book less than 4 stars.

[April]

Luffy Sempai wrote: "April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "I don't see grooming in the book, but Clare as a character lacks agency.

If only she chose her husband in a less ushered in, a..."

Ah! Ok, that makes sense. Maybe my imagination fills things in, or maybe its just that i enjoy a more realistic male in a love story. Typical romance men are too perfect and thus make the books more jokey for me.

Basically, im saying it is personal taste, and nothing wrong with that. Thanks for chatting with me, Luffy Sempai! Hope we can chat again about a book we both enjoy (or even both dislike 😂) 👍

[Luffy Sempai]

April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "April wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "I don't see grooming in the book, but Clare as a character lacks agency.

If only she chose her husband in..."

LOL, you're on!!